Women’s guide to bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis treatment

Bacterial vaginosis can be diagnosed easily by taking a sample vaginal fluid. Treatment of BV is generally done with antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics to you. There are antibiotics which are available in cream or ointment form which are to be used in the vagina. Even after treatment with antibiotics BV may reoccur. That is why it is very important for you to take all the antibiotics as prescribed. Treatment of male sexual partners is not necessary because they cannot contract this problem and pass on to the female partners.

First of all, it is more important to get a proper diagnosis because some similar symptoms may show up due to some other infections. It is better to let your doctor the problem and then prescribe the medicines.

There are several alternative treatment options available which are effective against BV. You will find several sites effective treatment options which can help you to get immediate relief.

If you do not treat your bacterial vaginosis problem, it will increase the risk of getting STIs (sexually transmitted infections. It may also increase the risk of HIV, chlamydia, genital herpes and gonorrhoea. Bacterial vaginosis can also cause pregnancy problems such as premature birth and low birth weight baby etc. It is very important to treat any pregnant woman to reduce the risk of any problems for the new-born.

Prevention

Prevention is more important in case of bacterial vaginosis. However, in some cases it may be very difficult to prevent this problem because it is caused by bacteria and they are present everywhere. It is possible to reduce the risk of this infection.

Monogamous relationships are a very important to avoid spread of the problem. When you have just one partner for sex, it lowers your possibility of suffering BV infection. The more number of sex partners you have, the higher the possibility will be of suffering from bacterial vaginosis. Condoms can also help in prevention of this problem. However, other types of birth control measures will not protect you from BV or any STI. Safe sex is important to avoid such sexual problems.

Good hygiene is very important because it can prevent bacterial vaginosis.

You should not douche the vagina because douching may actually kill the good bacteria and thereby imbalance the balance of good and bad bacteria which will result in risk of bacterial vaginosis.

It is very important to clean the vagina. But do not use just any product available in the market. Simple clean water is always better because it reduces the risk of infection or the possibility of imbalance of good and bad bacteria. It is very important to ensure that the vaginal bacteria balance is maintained. You don't have to use soap to clean the area because even mild soaps can result in infection or irritation of the area.

Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes are always better for you because it allows airflow and also reduces the possibility of moist conditions. Wearing such clothes will also keep the area cool. When there is moist condition in the vagina and the surrounding areas, the risk of BV increases.

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection but some common prevention steps can help you to reduce the risk of possible infection.

What should I do if I have it?

If you have bacterial vaginosis, you should immediately go and see a doctor and start taking the antibiotics prescribed. Avoid sexual contact until your treatment is complete. Always take the preventive measures so that the problem does not reoccur.